Anti-splash shoe with stepped stopping structure

ABSTRACT

An anti-splash shoe includes a sole and a vamp, which is connected to the sole and disposed on the sole. The sole has a support structure and a stepped stopping structure. The support structure supports a user&#39;s weight and contacts with water on a ground. The stopping structure stops water drop, lifted up by the support structure, from splashing toward the vamp.

This application claims priority of No. 103123261 filed in Taiwan R.O.C. on Jul. 7, 2014 under 35 USC 119, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an anti-splash shoe, and more particularly to an anti-splash shoe having a stepped stopping structure to stop the water from splashing toward the vamp.

2. Related Art

When the user wears shoes and walks or runs in a rainy day or on a wet ground, the shoes are usually getting wetter and wetter and the user has the poor feeling.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional shoe 100 walking on a wet ground G to cause water splashing. As shown in FIG. 1, the water W is present on the ground G and is lifted up by the sole 110 of the shoe 100. An adhesive force FA, a horizontal centrifugal force FH and a vertical centrifugal force FV are present between the water W and the sole 110. Under the action of the three forces, the generated water drops D1 splash toward the top of the vamp 160 and finally fall on the vamp 160 to wet the vamp 160, and the water drops D2 splash frontwards without wetting the vamp 160.

At present, the leather shoes, sports shoes, casual shoes or the like manufactured by the shoe manufacturers are mainly designed according to the consideration of permeability rather than the problem of wetting the vamp when the user wearing the shoes walks in a rainy day or on a wet ground. Although the waterproof material of the vamp can be improved, this further affects the permeability. So, the satisfactory shoe product cannot be manufactured under the dual considerations of possessing the permeability and preventing the splash wetting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an anti-splash shoe with a stepped stopping structure to effectively stop water drops, lifted up by the sole, to splash and wet the vamp.

To achieve the above-identified object, the present invention provides an anti-splash shoe including a sole and a vamp. The vamp is connected to the sole and disposed on the sole. The sole has a support structure and a stepped stopping structure. The support structure supports a user's weight and contacts with water on a ground, and the stopping structure stops water drops, lifted up by the support structure, from splashing toward the vamp.

The above-mentioned anti-splash shoe utilizes the stepped stopping structure to effectively stop the water drops, which tend to splash over the vamp, to stop the water from splashing and wetting the vamp, or even the socks, pants and the like. Either the method of separating the water drops in conjunction with the vamp for stopping the water drops, or the method of using the water accommodating layer in conjunction with the vertical stopping surface for stopping the water drops can stop the water drops from splashing upwards and ensure the user's vamp from being splashed and wetted.

Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional shoe walking on a wet ground to cause water splashing.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an anti-splash shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial side view showing the anti-splash shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 to 7 are bottom views showing examples of the anti-splash shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a bottom view and a cross-sectional view showing an anti-splash shoe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a bottom view and a cross-sectional view showing an example of an anti-splash shoe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the anti-splash shoe according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9D to 9F are cross-sectional views showing other examples of the anti-splash shoe according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.

The anti-splash shoe of the embodiment of the present invention is an improvement for the texture structure of the sole, and the idea is made based on the movement mode of the water drops observed when the user walks on a wet ground in conjunction with the mechanical analysis. An adhesive force and a centrifugal force are present between the water drop and the moving sole, wherein the centrifugal force is decomposed into vertical and horizontal components. The vertical component of the centrifugal force tends to lift up the water drop toward the top of the vamp and thus wet the vamp.

Thus, two solutions are adopted in this invention. The first solution is to manufacture a step on a front edge of the sole to stop the vertical movement of the water drop lifted up by the sole, and to stop the water from flashing toward the vamp. The second solution is to manufacture a cavity or depression on the front edge portion of the sole so that the front edge of the cavity provides a stopper wall to stop the water drop from flashing toward the vamp. Both the solutions provide no poor feeling, which is different from the usual habits, to the user who wears the shoes.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an anti-splash shoe 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial side view showing the anti-splash shoe 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the anti-splash shoe 1 of this embodiment includes a sole 10 and a vamp 60. The sole 10 is a portion in contact with a ground G, and the vamp 60 is a portion covering the user's foot. The vamp 60 is connected to the sole 10 and disposed on the sole 10 in view of a normally used state.

The sole 10 has a support structure 20 and a stepped stopping structure 30. The support structure 20 supports a user's weight and contacts with the water W on the ground G. The stopping structure 30 stops water drops, lifted up by the support structure 20, from splashing toward the vamp 60. The stepped stopping structure 30 provides a projecting step portion 31 for separating the water, lifted frontwards and upwards by the sole, into the water drop D1 and the other water drops D2. The water drop D1 is stopped below the sole 10 and cannot splash toward the top of the vamp 60. The other water drops D2 splash frontwards without splashing toward the top of the vamp. Thus, the sole is configured to stop the water drop from splashing backwards and upwards.

The stopping structure 30 is disposed on a front portion 11 of the sole 10, and stops the water splashing when the sole 10 is lifted frontwards. The stopping structure 30 is also disposed on a rear portion 12 of the sole 10, and stops the water splashing when the sole 10 is lifted backwards.

The stopping structure 30 includes the step portion 31, which prevents the front portion 11 of the sole 10 from contacting with the ground G when the support structure 20 is in flat surface contact with the ground G. The stopping structure 30 also includes another step portion 31, which prevents the rear portion 12 of the sole 10 from contacting with the ground G when the support structure 20 is in flat surface contact with the ground. The step portion 31 has a step (height difference) ranging between 2 mm and 6 mm, particularly ranging from 3 to 5 mm to occupy 65% to 85% of the total thickness of the sole, and more particularly ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 mm to occupy 70% to 80% of the total thickness of the sole. In one example, the total thickness of the sole 10 is 5.2 mm, the height difference is 3.9 mm to occupy 75% of the total thickness of the sole, and this is applicable to the second and the third embodiments. In another example, the step portion 31 has a step (height difference) ranging between 6 mm and 9 mm, particularly ranging from 7 to 8 mm to occupy 70% to 80% of the total thickness of the sole, and more particularly ranging from 7.2 to 7.8 mm to occupy 72% to 78% of the total thickness of the sole, and this is applicable to the second and the third embodiments. The following experimental data of Table 1 of this invention is based on the height difference of 3.9 mm, and the following experimental data of Table 2 of this invention is based on the height difference of 7.5 mm.

In another point of view, the sole 10 includes a first portion 20 and a second portion 30. A step portion 31 is formed between the first portion 20 and the second portion 30. The first portion 20 and the second portion 30 may be integrally formed jointly with each other, and may also be adhered together through an adhesive. In FIG. 3, the angle θ is equal to 90 degrees. In other example, however, the angle θ may be smaller or greater than 90 degrees.

FIGS. 4 to 7 are bottom views showing examples of the anti-splash shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When viewed from the bottom of the sole 10 of FIG. 4 and the front portion 11 is directed upwards, the step portion 31 has a substantial M shape to prevent the water drops from concentrating at the middle of the front portion 11 of the sole 10. In one example, the distance from the point P1 to the frontmost edge of the front portion 11 ranges from about 70 to 50 mm, preferably from 65 to 55 mm, and more preferably from 58 to 62 mm; the distance from the point P2 to the frontmost edge of the front portion 11 ranges from about 23 to 3 mm, preferably from 18 to 8 mm, and more preferably from 15 to 11 mm; and the distance from the point P3 to the frontmost edge of the front portion 11 ranges from about 28.5 to 8.5 mm, preferably from 23.5 to 13.5 mm, and more preferably from 20 to 17 mm. In another example, the distance from the point P2 to the frontmost edge of the front portion 11 occupies about 8% to 4% of the total length of the sole, preferably about 7% to 5%.

In addition, when viewed from the bottom of the sole 10 and the rear portion 12 is directed upwards, the step portion 31 has a substantial M shape to prevent the water drops from concentrating at the middle of the rear portion 12 of the sole 10. It is to be noted that the substantial M shape may also be smoothened. As shown in FIG. 5, the step portion 31 has a straight-line shape. As shown in FIG. 6, the step portion 31 has a concave curve shape. As shown in FIG. 7, the step portion 31 has a convex curve shape. It is to be noted that the lower surfaces of the support structure 20 and the stepped stopping structure 30 may also be formed with other textures to increase the friction or provide the water drainage design. The support structure 20 also has the ability of resilient deformation to provide the buffer. In one example, the resilience of the support structure 20 and the step (height difference) of the step portion 31 are designed and configured such that the stepped stopping structure 30 cannot contact with the water when the support structure 20 contacts with the water. This step portion 31 is different from the designed sole, which is inclined upwards in a continuous curve, because the designed sole cannot separate the water drops to be stopped by the sole. In this embodiment, no structure or texture on the front edge portion from the step portion 31 to the front portion 11, and the rear edge portion from the step portion 31 to the rear portion 12 is flush with the support structure 20, and no structure or texture contacts with the ground or the water on the ground.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a bottom view and a cross-sectional view showing an anti-splash shoe according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the stopping structure 30 includes a cavity 36 for accommodating water, and the cavity 36 is formed with the step portion 31 and has a vertical stopping surface 38 for stopping the water drop which tends to move frontwards. This cavity 36 has a shape of a hoof, or a substantial U shape.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a bottom view and a cross-sectional view showing an example of an anti-splash shoe according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the stopping structure 30 includes a cavity 36, which has an inclined surface 37 and a vertical stopping surface 38. The vertical stopping surface 38 is disposed on the front portion 11 of the sole 10, and the inclined surface 37 is inclined in a direction toward the vertical stopping surface 38 and in a direction away from the ground G. That is, the stopping structure 30 includes an inclined slot 30B and a non-inclined slot 30A near the front portion 11. The total length of the inclined slot 30B and the non-inclined slot 30A in the direction of line 9B-9B preferably ranges from 25 to 45 mm, and more preferably from 40 to 30 mm, or is about 35 mm. In another example, the length occupies 15% to 5% of the total length of the anti-splash shoe (parallel to the direction of line B-B), or more particularly occupies 10% to 11% of the total length to provide the better water storage and water stopping functions while keeping the basic function of the shoe. The lengths of the inclined slot 30B and the non-inclined slot 30A in the direction of line 9B-9B are about 14±3 mm and 4±1 mm, respectively, and the slope of the inclined slot 30B is about 0.54±0.1. The cavity 36 may further have a horizontal surface 39 connecting the inclined surface 37 to the vertical stopping surface 38. The horizontal surface 39 enlarges the water storage capacity of the non-inclined slot 30A so that more water can be absorbed. It is to be noted that the horizontal surface 39 is not necessarily. In other examples, the inclined surface 37 and the vertical stopping surface 38 may be directly connected together. Furthermore, for the configuration near the rear portion 12, the stopping structure 30 includes the cavity 36, which has the inclined surface 37 and the vertical stopping surface 38, wherein the vertical stopping surface 38 is disposed on the rear portion 12 of the sole 10, and the inclined surface 37 is inclined toward the vertical stopping surface 38 and in a direction away from the ground. In one example, the slope of the inclined surface 37, calculated by dividing the vertical displacement component by the horizontal displacement component, ranges from 0.7 to 0.3, and the length L of the inclined surface 37 ranges from 10 mm and 6 mm. In other examples, the slope of the inclined surface 37 is equal to 0.53 (about 3.9 mm/7.4 mm) or 0.54 (about 7.5 mm/14 mm), and the length L of the inclined surface 37 ranges from 9 mm and 7 mm, and is particularly equal to 8 mm. The length L may be as short as possible but still has to provide the vertical stopping surface 38 to achieve the water stopping function. In the inclined slot 30B and the non-inclined slot 30A of this embodiment, no structure or texture is flush with the support structure 20, no structure or texture contacts with the ground or the water on the ground, and the outer wall surface of the non-inclined slot 30A is a continuous wall surface so that the storage and stopping effects can be obtained.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the anti-splash shoe according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference between FIGS. 9C and 9B resides in that the cavity 36 does not have the inclined surface 37, and the overall cavity 36 is substantially a semi-circular non-inclined slot for containing more water. It is to be noted that the stepped stopping structures 30 on the front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 need not to be present concurrently, and need not to have the same model because any combination can achieve the anti-splashing function.

It is to be noted that the stopping surface needs not to be vertical. FIGS. 9D to 9F are cross-sectional views showing other examples of the anti-splash shoe according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference between FIGS. 9D and 9B resides in that the stopping surface is an inclined stopping surface 38′, which inclines upwards and backwards. The difference between FIGS. 9E and 9B resides in that the stopping surface is an inclined stopping surface 38′, which inclines upwards and frontwards. The difference between FIGS. 9F and 9B resides in that no non-inclined slot is formed. That is, the inclined surface is directly connected to the inclined stopping surface 38′. These examples still possess the anti-splashing function.

In the second and third embodiments, the stepped stopping structure 30 utilizes the inclined slot/non-inclined slot for accommodating the water. When the sole is lifted frontwards and upwards, the water in the slot tends to splash frontwards but is stopped by the vertical stopping surface 38 so that the water cannot splash frontwards and upwards.

In order to prove the effect of the stepped stopping structure, experiments and measurements have been made. For the measurement, a sponge body 300 (see FIG. 2) is adhered onto the vamp, and the user wears the shoe and walks on the wet ground in the same mode. Finally, the increased weight of the sponge body 300 is measured, and the measured results are listed in Table 1. As shown in Table 1, the sponge body in the prior art is wetter than that of each of the first and third embodiments, and this represents that the sponge body in the prior art absorbs more water. The average increased weight in each of the first and third embodiments is negative simply for the reason of the measurement error of the electronic scale. What is listed in Table 1 is that the present invention can be utilized to effectively stop the water from splashing and wetting the vamp. In addition, another set of experimental data are listed in Table 2, which also proves that the present invention can be utilized to effectively stop the water from splashing and wetting the vamp, wherein left and right shoes are used in the experiments.

TABLE 1 Prior art First Third (11 sets embodiment embodiment of data) (6 sets of data) (10 sets of data) Average increased 0.0084 −0.0031 −0.0030 weight (g) Standard deviation 0.0676 0.01273 0.0132

TABLE 2 Prior art (10 sets First embodiment Third embodiment of data) (10 sets of data) (10 sets of data) Average increased 0.1065 0.0648 −0.0033 weight (g) Standard deviation 0.1020 0.0673 0.0074

With the above-mentioned embodiments, the above-mentioned anti-splash shoe utilizes the stepped stopping structure to effectively stop the water drops, which tend to splash over the vamp, to stop the water from splashing and wetting the vamp, or even the socks, pants and the like. Either the method of separating the water drops in conjunction with the vamp for stopping the water drops, or the method of using the water accommodating layer in conjunction with the vertical stopping surface for stopping the water drops can stop the water drops from splashing upwards and ensure the user's vamp from being splashed and wetted.

While the present invention has been described by way of examples and in terms of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An anti-splash shoe, comprising: a sole; and a vamp, which is connected to the sole and disposed on the sole, wherein the sole has a support structure and a stepped stopping structure, the support structure supports a user's weight and contacts with water on a ground, and the stopping structure stops water drops, lifted up by the support structure, from splashing toward the vamp.
 2. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 1, wherein the stopping structure is disposed on a front portion of the sole and stops water splashing from being caused when the sole is lifted frontwards.
 3. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 1, wherein the stopping structure comprises a step portion, and the step portion prevents a front portion of the sole from contacting with the ground when the support structure is in flat surface contact with the ground.
 4. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 3, wherein when viewed from a bottom of the sole and the front portion is directed upwards, the step portion has a substantial M shape to prevent the water drops from concentrating on a middle of the front portion of the sole.
 5. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 1, wherein the stopping structure comprises a cavity, the cavity has an inclined surface and a stopping surface, the stopping surface is disposed on a front portion of the sole, and the inclined surface is inclined toward the stopping surface in a direction away from the ground.
 6. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 5, wherein the stopping structure further comprises a horizontal surface connecting the inclined surface to the stopping surface.
 7. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 5, wherein the stopping surface is an inclined stopping surface.
 8. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 5, wherein the inclined surface is directly connected to the stopping surface.
 9. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 1, wherein the stopping structure is disposed on a rear portion of the sole and stops water splashing from being caused when the sole is lifted backwards.
 10. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 1, wherein the stopping structure comprises a step portion, and the step portion prevents a rear portion of the sole from contacting with the ground when the support structure is in flat surface contact with the ground.
 11. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 10, wherein when viewed from a bottom of the sole and the rear portion is directed upwards, the step portion has a substantial M shape to prevent the water drops from concentrating on a middle of the rear portion of the sole.
 12. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 1, wherein the stopping structure comprises a cavity, the cavity has an inclined surface and a vertical stopping surface, the vertical stopping surface is disposed on a rear portion of the sole, and the inclined surface is inclined toward the vertical stopping surface in a direction away from the ground.
 13. The anti-splash shoe according to claim 1, wherein the step portion has a height difference ranging between 6 mm and 9 mm. 